Sri Lanka omit Mendis from Champions Trophy squad

Sri Lanka’s selectors snubbed ace spinner Ajantha Mendis and recalled left-arm fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara while naming a 15-member squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in England.

Besides Mendis, batsman Upul Tharanga also failed to find a place in the squad for the June 6-23 tournament.

Angelo Mathews, who captained Pune Warriors in the ongoing IPL before dropping himself, will lead the squad.

Dinesh Chandimal will be his deputy.

Mendis was also not named in Sri Lanka’s squad against Bangladesh for the home ODI series in March.

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Welegedara, who last played a one-day international in June 2010, has struggled with injury problems.

He is among three players returning to Sri Lanka's squad along with former skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who missed the home series against Bangladesh due to a finger injury, and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was rested.

Jayawardene is captaining Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing IPL.

Four other players featuring in the IPL – Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga and Sachithra Senanayake – are also  in the squad.

Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekera Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake and Chanaka Welagedera.

Photograph: Reuters